Hyundai Shows 2018 Sonata in Seoul
CARS.COM — Hyundai unveiled a mid-cycle freshening for its Sonata mid-size sedan, with styling tweaks and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata was redone for 2015 with styling toned down from the former and distinctive swoopy look.
Related: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Review: First Impressions and Photo Gallery
The 2018 Sonata was unveiled in global form in South Korea and will have a U.S. debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show. The 2018 Sonata will arrive in the U.S. as overall demand for mid-size sedans has softened versus SUVs, and the Sonata has been hit particularly hard: Year-to-date sales of the current sedan are down 31.1 percent from a year ago, according to the automaker. It also faces tougher competition, with Toyota rolling out a redone 2018 Camry, the 800-pound gorilla in the class.
The biggest change to its styling — bringing it in line with other new Hyundai designs — is a bigger grille filled with horizontal bars or mesh (for a sportier 2.0-liter turbo model) and a big Hyundai logo, along with a more muscular hood. The rear gets new taillights and the license plate is moved down from the trunk to a spot in the new bumper. The 2.0-liter turbo model also gets its own black headlight and daytime running light surrounds, a black lower front bumper, black side-mirror caps and dark-chrome trim.
Mechanically, the news is a new eight-speed transmission for the 2.0-liter turbo. Four global engines were listed, including two turbos carried over from the current model: the Eco trim’s 1.6-liter putting out 178 horsepower and the 245-hp 2.0-liter. Hyundai did not specify U.S. choices, but not on the list is the current U.S. model’s 2.4-liter base engine. There is, however, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter listed.
Inside, the new Sonata gets revised controls, a new steering wheel and an 8-inch display for the optional multimedia system with navigation. The sporty 2.0-liter turbo model will get a flat-bottom wheel and more bolstered seats.
Hyundai said the Sonata will have a full suite of electronic safety and driver support technology, but it did not say whether it would expand the technology’s availability, which currently is confined to the top Limited trims. Toyota is making some of these features standard across its lineup.
Hyundai also did not specify when the 2018 would arrive in the U.S., saying only that it would be on sale in “select markets” by midyear.
